Kanaks much more than run-of-the-mill talents

Thursday

But when it comes to the Kanak family, there are no mixed feelings about the controversial contraption.

It changed their lives. For the good.

You see, a few years ago, Rich Kanak, a non-runner at the time, bought his wife, Maggie (a recreational runner) a treadmill for her birthday.

The idea was to give Mrs. K an exercise option on days of inclement weather.

Then one day, Rich, a construction company owner, became curious and jumped on the revolving belt himself.

Eureka! He liked it. Before you know it, one mile became two, and soon the Newtown couple found a common interest.

Casual running on the streets and in Tyler State Park led to a chance encounter with members of the Bucks County Roadrunners, and it took off from there.

They joined the club, started racing, and now have become one of the fastest couples in Bucks County.

Along the way, they’ve qualified for the Boston Marathon, won an age group (Rich) and a second overall (Maggie) in the recent third annual Bucks County Duathlon and, this past weekend, both broke 20 minutes for 5K in the Carnegie Center/Parkinson’s Alliance race at Princeton.

And to think it all started with an inquisitive glance at a machine that can go fast but takes you nowhere.

“I got on the treadmill, started running, and I’ve been running ever since,’’ recalls Rich, 46, a native of Northeast Philadelphia. “I saw some of the (BCRR) runners at the park, was intimidated by them, but I went over and asked them what was going on.

“They welcomed me with open arms. We’ve been running with them for three and a half years now.’’

He had played soccer way back in his high school years at Father Judge, but had no inkling that he possessed such running ability.

“It’s kind of hard to believe we’re really good at it,’’ he said. “My wife and I kid each other all the time. You don’t really know you’re good at it.

“Running is very rewarding for me. It does so many different things, physically, mentally, psychologically.’’

Not many “blue-collar’’ types have enough energy to juggle a work career and an elite running schedule, but Rich said the two actually complement each other.

“I’m not sure where I get the energy from,’’ he chuckled. “I’m running with the other guys, and they’ve been sitting in the office all day. Some days, I come down after being on a roof for eight or 10 hours ... but it just comes.

“Running just makes me healthier overall and gives me more energy. It allows you to do things you didn’t think you could do in the past.’’

Maggie, 41, also took up running well after school (Pennsbury High School, Temple) and didn’t really discover her competitive side until her husband came on board.

“A few years ago, we had a really bad winter and I couldn’t run outside every day as much as I would like,’’ she said. “He was trying to keep it (running on the treadmill) from me, but he was getting good, and I said, ‘You need to run outside.’

“We started running together and the rest is history. It’s great because it’s something that we have a common interest in. We both understand the commitment, the training.’’

Maggie is a language teacher at FDR School in Bristol Township.

You might have guessed their running has taken on a bit of intra-family competitiveness.

“He has to remain faster than me because beating him in a race is my lifetime goal,’’ she said with a laugh. “He needs to keep running, so he’s continually faster than I am.’’

A new race in New Hope

There’s a new addition to the local racing calendar — the Flower to Tower 5K at the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope on Oct. 14, 9 a.m.

Online registration is available through Oct. 4 at Active.com or the preserve’s website (www.bhwp.org). Pre-registration is $25; day of race $30.

“There’s going to be music by Williamsboy Band and refreshments, including Bitter Bob’s Authentic Barbeque and family fun activities,’’ said event coordinator Nancy Apple. “We’ll also have an obstacle course for kids after the 5K, and they can win their own medals.’’

Follow Us

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Bucks County Courier Times ~ 8400 N. Bristol Pk, Levittown, PA 19057 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service